Support undergarment

ABSTRACT

Support undergarments include a front portion including a first front panel including a first breast support section, a second front panel including a second breast support section, a plurality of fasteners coupled to one of the first front panel or the second front panel, the plurality of fasteners extending in a vertical direction and configured to selectively couple the first front panel to the second front panel, a back portion positioned opposite the front portion, the back portion including an upper shoulder region configured to cover and extend between a wearer&#39;s shoulders, and a pair of sleeves extending outward from the front portion and the back portion, each of the sleeves coupled to the front portion and the back portion.

BACKGROUND

Support undergarments, including brassieres (bras) and the like, have been worn to provide support and to shape different body parts. Conventional support undergarments have generally been focused on shaping and supporting lower body parts, such as the waistline and legs, and conventional bras have generally focused on shaping and supporting the breast area. However, conventional bras may not provide support and shaping of the upper torso, as may be desired by larger, full-figured women.

Conventional bras also typically have releasable fasteners that attach different portions of the bras together when worn by a user. The releasable fasteners are typically located at a back of the bra, which may make it difficult for larger users to manipulate the releasable fasteners while dressing and undressing.

Conventional bras and support undergarments may also lack protection against perspiration. For example, conventional bras typically do not cover a wearer's underarm area, and may accordingly may allow an outer garment to absorb perspiration, which may lead to an undesirable and embarrassing appearance of the outer garment. Some conventional undergarments may cover the wearer's underarm area to assist in preventing perspiration from reaching an outer garment. However, by absorbing perspiration, these conventional undergarments may allow perspiration, as well as any anti-perspirant/deodorant worn by the user, to become embedded within the undergarment, which may require costly replacement of the undergarment.

Accordingly, a need exists for alternative support undergarments that provide support and shaping of the upper torso and that absorb perspiration.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a support undergarment includes a front portion including a first front panel including a first breast support section, a second front panel including a second breast support section, a plurality of fasteners coupled to one of the first front panel or the second front panel, the plurality of fasteners extending in a vertical direction and configured to selectively couple the first front panel to the second front panel, a back portion positioned opposite the front portion, the back portion including an upper shoulder region configured to cover and extend between a wearer's shoulders, and a pair of sleeves extending outward from the front portion and the back portion, each of the sleeves coupled to the front portion and the back portion.

In another embodiment, a support undergarment includes a front portion including a breast support section, a back portion positioned opposite the front portion, the back portion including an upper shoulder region configured to cover and extend between a wearer's shoulders, a pair of sleeves extending outward from the front portion and the back portion, each of the sleeves coupled to the front portion and the back portion, and a pair of under-arm panels positioned between the sleeves and the front and back portions, where the under-arm panels include a material that is different than the front portion and the back portion.

In yet another embodiment, a support undergarment incudes a front portion including a first front panel, a second front panel, a plurality of fasteners coupled to one of the first front panel or the second front panel, the plurality of fasteners extending in a vertical direction and configured to selectively couple the first front panel to the second front panel, a back portion positioned opposite the front portion, the back portion including an upper shoulder region configured to cover and extend between a wearer's shoulders, a support band extending around and between a bottom of the front portion and the back portion, where the support band includes a material that is different from the front portion and the back portion, and where the support band is configured to extend around a wearer's midriff, and a pair of sleeves extending outward from the front portion and the back portion, each of the sleeves coupled to the front portion and the back portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a front view of a support undergarment, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a front view of the support undergarment of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a rear view of the support undergarment of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4 schematically depicts an enlarged view of an under-arm panel of the support undergarment of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

FIG. 5 schematically depicts another enlarged view of the under-arm panel of FIG. 4, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. The term “or” is used herein in both the alternative and conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The terms “illustrative” and “exemplary” are used to be examples with no indication of quality level. And terms are used both in the singular and plural forms interchangeably. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

As used herein, the vertical direction (i.e., the ±Z-direction as depicted) refers to the upward/downward direction of the support undergarment. The longitudinal direction (i.e., the ±X-direction as depicted) refers to the forward/rearward direction of the support undergarment and is transverse to the vertical direction. The lateral direction (i.e., the ±Y-direction as depicted) refers to the cross-wise direction of the support undergarment and is transverse to the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction.

Support undergarments according to the present disclosure generally include a front portion including a first front panel and a second front panel that are selectively coupled to one another by a plurality of fasteners. In embodiments, the support undergarments include a pair of sleeves to provide shaping and support to the wearer's upper arms. In some embodiments, the support undergarments include a pair of under-arm panels that assist with absorbing perspiration, and the under-arm panels may be selectively coupled to and removable from the support undergarment. In some embodiments, the support undergarment is configured to provide support to the wearer's upper body, and is configured to cover and extend over a wearer's back shoulders. The support undergarments may also be configured to extend over a wearer's midriff to provide greater support to the wearer's upper body.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a front view of a support undergarment 100 is schematically depicted. The support undergarment 100 is configured to be worn by a wearer 10, and generally includes a front portion 130 including a first front panel 132 and a second front panel 134 that is selectively coupled to the first front panel 132 via a plurality of fasteners 140 that extend in the vertical direction. The support undergarment 100 further includes a pair of sleeves 150 that are coupled to the front panel 132 and that are configured to cover at least a portion of the wearer 10's arms.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 2 and 3, a front and a rear view of the support undergarment 100 are depicted, respectively. The support undergarment 100 includes a back portion 120 that is positioned opposite the front portion 130 in the longitudinal direction. The back portion 120 comprises an upper shoulder region 122 that is configured to extend across and cover the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) back shoulders. By extending across and covering the wearer 10's back shoulders, the upper shoulder region 122 assists in distributing the support provided by the support undergarment 100 across a greater area of a wearer 10's back, which may assist in reducing pressure points and discomfort experienced by the wearer. The front portion 130 and the back portion 120 may be formed from a suitable material for providing shaping and support, including, but not limited to nylon, spandex, elastane, polyester, or the like, and may include a blend or combination thereof.

The support undergarment 100 includes the sleeves 150 that are coupled to and extend outward from the front portion 130 and the back portion 120, and which are configured to cover the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) arms. In embodiments, the sleeves 150 may be made from the same material as the front portion 130 and the back portion 120. In other embodiments, the sleeves 150 may be made from a different material and/or may have a different material thickness as compared to the front portion 130 and the back portion 120. For example, in some instances, it may be desirable for the sleeves 150 to have a greater degree of flexibility as compared to the front portion 130 and the rear portion 120, to allow the wearer 10 (FIG. 1) to freely move their arms. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the sleeves may be formed from a material with a decreased material thickness as compared to the front portion 130 and the back portion 120, and/or may be formed from a material with a greater elasticity as compared to the front portion 130 and the back portion 120.

The support undergarment 100 generally includes a first breast support section 136 positioned on the first front panel 132 and a second breast support section 138 positioned on the second front panel 134. The first and second breast support sections 136, 138 generally support the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) breasts and generally function as a bra. The first and second breast support sections 136, 138 may be formed from the same material or may be formed from a different material as the rest of the front portion 120, and may include wires or the like to support the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) breasts.

In embodiments, the support undergarment 100 includes a support band 160 that extends around a bottom of the front portion 130 and the rear portion 120. The support band 160 may comprise an elastic material, such as a woven rubber or elastic material that is configured to constrict around a wearer 10's (FIG. 1) body. The support band 160 may be formed from a different material as the front and back portions 130, 120 and may act to retain the position of the support undergarment 100 on the wearer 10 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the front portion 130 and the back portion 120 are configured to extend to a wearer 10's midsection such that the support band 160 is positioned on the wearer 10's midriff. By extending to the wearer 10's midsection, the support undergarment 100 may provide support to a greater portion of the wearer 10's upper body as compared to conventional support undergarments that provide more limited coverage. By providing support to a greater portion of the wearer 10's upper body, the support undergarment 100 may reduce the presence of undesirable bulges and rolls at positions outside of the support undergarment 100.

In embodiments, the support undergarment 100 includes a first side panel 110 positioned between the front portion 130 and the back portion 120 and a second side panel 112 positioned between the front portion 130 and the back portion 120. The first and second side panels 110, 112 may extend along the sides of the support undergarment 100, and may also extend along the sleeves 150 of the support undergarment 100. The first side panel 110 and the second side panel 112 are positioned on opposite sides of the support undergarment 100 and are configured to support the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) sides. In embodiments, the first side panel 110 and the second side panel 112 may be formed from an elastic material, such as nylon, spandex, elastane, polyester, or the like, and may include a blend or combination thereof. In embodiments, the first side panel 110 and the second side panel 112 may be formed from the same material as the front portion 130 and the back portion 120. In other embodiments, the first side panel 110 and the second side panel 112 may be formed from a different material and/or may have a different material thickness than the front portion 130 and the back portion 120. For example, in some instances, it may be desirable for the first side panel 110 and the second side panel 112 to provide greater support and/or constriction than the front portion 130 and the back portion 120 to provide greater shaping and support of the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) sides. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the first side panel 110 and the second side panel 112 may be formed from a material having an increased material thickness as compared to the front portion 130 and the back portion 120, and/or may be formed from a material with a lower elasticity as compared to the front portion 130 and the back portion 120. In embodiments, the first side panel 110 and the second side panel 112 may be substantially continuous along the sides of the support undergarment 110, and may be free from any seams. By including substantially continuous side panels 110, 112, pressure points along the side of the support undergarment 110 may be reduced as compared to support undergarments that include a seam extending along the side of the undergarment.

The support undergarment 100 may further include support seams 152 positioned between the sleeves 150 and the front portion 130 and the back portion 120, and the sleeves 150 may be coupled to the front portion 130 and the back portion 120 at the support seams 152. The support seams 152 may be formed from an elastic material, such as nylon, spandex, elastane, polyester, or the like, and may include a blend or combination thereof. In embodiments, the support seams 152 may be formed from the same material and/or may have the same material thickness as the first side panel 110 and the second side panel 112.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first front panel 132 is selectively coupled to the second front panel 134 by the plurality of fasteners 140. The fasteners 140 may include any suitable mechanical fasteners, such as hooks, buttons, snaps, or the like. By positioning the plurality of fasteners 140 on the front portion 130, the fasteners 140 may be easily accessible, as compared to support garments including fasteners positioned on a back of the support garment, which may be difficult to reach, particularly for larger wearers 10 (FIG. 1).

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, enlarged front views of the support undergarment 100 are schematically depicted. In embodiments, the support undergarment 100 includes a pair of under-arm panels 154 that are each coupled to the front portion 130, the rear portion 120 (FIG. 3), and the sleeves 150 at a location configured to cover the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) under-arm area. While FIGS. 4 and 5 show the second front panel 134 and a single under-arm panel 154, it should be understood that the support undergarment 100 is substantially symmetrical, and the first front panel 132 (FIG. 2) is substantially the same. The under-arm panels 154 may be formed from the same material as the front portion 130 and the back portion 120 (FIG. 3). In other embodiments, the under-arm panels 154 may be formed from a different material and/or may include a different material thickness than the front portion 130 and the back portion 120 (FIG. 3). For example, as the under-arm panels 154 are configured to cover the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) under-arm area, the under-arm panels 154 may be formed from an absorbent material, such as a cotton, a cotton blend, or the like. In other embodiments, the under-arm panels 154 may be formed from a wicking material to draw perspiration away from the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) under-arm area, and the under-arm panels 154 may be formed from polyester, a polyester/cotton blend, or the like. By absorbing and/or drawing perspiration away from the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) under-arm area, the under-arm panels 154 may assist in preventing perspiration from reaching an outer garment worn by the wearer 10 (FIG. 1).

In embodiments, the under-arm panels 154 are selectively coupled to and removable from the support undergarment 100. For example, the under-arm panels 154 may be selectively coupled to the front portion 130, the rear portion 120 (FIG. 3), and the sleeves 150 by mechanical fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, or the like. In embodiments in which the under-arm panels 154 are selectively coupled to and removable from the support undergarment 100, the under-arm panels 154 may be removed for separate launder and care than the rest of the support undergarment 100. Further, in embodiments in which the under-arm panels 154 are selectively coupled to and removable from the rest of the support undergarment 100, the under-arm panels 154 may be removed and replaced with new under-arm panels 154. As may be understood, the under-arm panels 154 may absorb perspiration, and may also absorb any anti-perspirant/deodorant worn by the wearer 10 (FIG. 1). Accordingly, the under-arm panels 154 may become soiled more quickly than other components of the support undergarment 100. As such, it may be desirable to replace the under-arm panels 154 without replacing the entire support undergarment 100. In embodiments in which the under-arm panels 154 are selectively coupled to and are removable from the rest of the support undergarment 100, the under-arm panels 154 may be removed and replaced as necessary, without requiring the wearer to replace the entire support undergarment 100.

Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the front portion 130, the rear portion 120 (FIG. 3), and each of the sleeves 150 may define openings 170, over which the under-arm panels 154 may be positioned when selectively coupled to the support undergarment 100. The openings 170 may allow the under-arm panels 154 to directly contact the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) under-arm area, such that the under-arm panels 154 may absorb and draw perspiration away from the wearer 10's under-arm area. This may allow the under-arm panels 154 to absorb the perspiration as well as any anti-perspirant/deodorant, while the rest of the support undergarment 100 may remain generally free from the perspiration and anti-perspirant/deodorant from the wearer 10's under-arm area. In this way, soiling resulting perspiration and anti-perspirant/deodorant of the wearer 10's under-arm area may be limited to the under-arm panels 154, which may be removed and replaced. In other embodiments, the support undergarment 100 may not include the openings 170, and the under-arm panels 154 may be positioned on an inside of the support undergarment 100 to directly contact the wearer 10's (FIG. 1) under-arm area.

It should now be understood that the present application is directed support undergarments including a front portion including a first front panel and a second front panel that are selectively coupled to one another by a plurality of fasteners. In embodiments, the support undergarments include a pair of sleeves that are configured to provide shaping and support to the wearer's upper arms. In some embodiments, the support undergarments include a pair of under-arm panels that assist with absorbing perspiration, and the under-arm panels may be selectively coupled to and removable from the support undergarment. In some embodiments, the support undergarment is configured to provide support to the wearer's upper body, and is configured to cover and extend over a wearer's back shoulders. By covering and extending over the wearer's back shoulders, the support undergarment may broadly distribute support to prevent uncomfortable pressure points. The support undergarment may also be configured to extend over a wearer's midriff to provide greater support to the wearer's upper body.

V. Conclusion

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. A support undergarment comprising: a front portion comprising: a first front panel comprising a first breast support section, a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge, the third edge of the first front panel extending from the first edge of the first front panel and terminating at the second edge of the first front panel, the third edge of the first front panel being perpendicular to the second edge of the first front panel; a second front panel comprising a second breast support section, a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge, the third edge of the second front panel extending from the first edge of the second front panel and terminating at the second edge of the second front panel, the third edge of the second front panel being perpendicular to the second edge of the second front panel and parallel to the third edge of the first front panel when the first front panel and the second front panel are selectively coupled; a plurality of fasteners coupled to one of the first front panel or the second front panel, the plurality of fasteners extending from the first edge of one of the first front panel or the second front panel in a vertical direction along the third edge of one of the first front panel or the second front panel, terminating at the second edge of one of the first front panel or the second front panel, and configured to selectively couple the first front panel to the second front panel; a back portion positioned opposite the front portion, the back portion comprising an upper shoulder region configured to cover and extend between a wearer's shoulders; and a pair of sleeves coupled to extending outward from the front portion and the back portion; wherein the plurality of fasteners are configured so as to completely detach the first front panel from the second front panel upon selectively decoupling each of the plurality of fasteners.
 2. The support undergarment of claim 1, further comprising a pair of opposing side panels positioned between the front portion and the back portion, wherein the pair of side panels comprise an elastic material.
 3. The support undergarment of claim 2, wherein the side panels comprise a material that is different from the front portion and the back portion.
 4. The support undergarment of claim 1, further comprising a pair of under-arm panels positioned between the sleeves and the front and back portions, wherein the under-arm panels comprise a material that is different than the front portion and the back portion.
 5. The support undergarment of claim 4, wherein the pair of under-arm panels are selectively coupled to and removable from the sleeves and the front and back portions.
 6. The support undergarment of claim 4, wherein the front portion and the back portion define a pair of openings between the sleeves and the front and back portions, wherein the pair of under-arm panels are configured to selectively cover the openings.
 7. The support undergarment of claim 1, further comprising a support band extending around and between a bottom of the front portion and the back portion, wherein the support band comprises a material that is different from the front portion and the back portion.
 8. The support undergarment of claim 1, further comprising a pair of support seams positioned between the pair of sleeves and the front and back portions, wherein the support seams comprise a material that is different from the front and back portions. 9.-15. (canceled)
 16. A support undergarment comprising: a front portion comprising: a first front panel comprising a first edge and a second edge, the second edge of the first front panel extending from the first edge of the first front panel and terminating at a bottom of the front portion, the second edge of the first front panel being perpendicular to the bottom of the front portion; a second front panel comprising a first edge and a second edge, the second edge of the second front panel extending from the first edge of the second front panel and terminating at the bottom of the front portion, the second edge of the second front panel being perpendicular to the bottom of the front portion and parallel to the second edge of the first front panel when the first front panel and the second front panel are selectively coupled;; a plurality of fasteners coupled to one of the first front panel or the second front panel, the plurality of fasteners extending from the first edge of one of the first front panel or the second front panel in a vertical direction along the second edge of one of the first front panel or the second front panel, terminating at the bottom of the front portion, and configured to selectively couple the first front panel to the second front panel; a back portion positioned opposite the front portion, the back portion comprising an upper shoulder region configured to cover and extend between a wearer's shoulders; a support band extending around and between a bottom of the front portion and the back portion, wherein the support band comprises a material that is different from the front portion and the back portion, and wherein the support band is configured to extend around a wearer's midriff; and a pair of sleeves extending outward from the front portion and the back portion, each of the sleeves coupled to the front portion and the back portion; wherein the plurality of fasteners are configured so as to completely detach the first front panel from the second front panel upon selectively decoupling each of the plurality of fasteners.
 17. The support undergarment of claim 16, further comprising a pair of under-arm panels positioned between the sleeves and the front and back portions, wherein the under-arm panels comprise a material that is different than the front portion and the back portion.
 18. The support undergarment of claim 17, wherein the pair of under-arm panels are selectively coupled to and removable from the sleeves and the front and back portions.
 19. The support undergarment of claim 17, wherein the front portion and the back portion define a pair of openings between the sleeves and the front and back portions, wherein the pair of under-arm panels are configured to selectively cover the openings.
 20. The support undergarment of claim 16, further comprising a pair of side panels positioned between the front portion and the back portion, wherein the pair of side panels comprise material that is different than the front and back portions. 